Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-04-29
Inauguration Of Gov. Semple.

The installation of an Executive has
generally been, in our Territory, very
quiet matter; simply the appearance
OF the appointee before n Judge OF tne
District Court or Justice of the Peace
and taking The oath OF Office. Gov. Squire
Was " sworn in by Justice Sparks, a,
the residence Of his predecessor, Gov
Newell, whose family We're the only
spectators, ;luG IIost vi tho ioruler EAec
utlves did not have even that much cere
mony shown to either The ia$cl,es or tic
o.iice when they donned the gubernator
ia! robes.
Gov. Squire, who is Tnrvevdron in
the proprieties, conceived it to bt his
duty to depart somewhat from the re
publican simplicity Of his predecessors
and to set an example, at the termina
ton of his Office, ina. Icy b. fairly con
sidefed III the true line vi civil service
reform. He invited his Successor t.
become his guest at the Executive Cham
her in the Capitol, Saturday at 80 P. n
and calling at his hotel with a carriage
accompanied him 10 that apartment, {
short time before the hour of installation
arrived. Quite a number OF ladies ant
gentlemen were present to witness tn,
ceremonies, and general regret was ex
pressed that the announcement was no
made public 81 as to have allowed thu
people generally to have been present
Gov Squire in introducing Gov. Semple
said that they had assembled upon an i'm
portant occasion, no less than the induction
of a new Governor-Mr Eugene Semple, o.
Vancouver-intO Office; that he himself
had held the Office Of Governor for about
three years, aud that now, when by thu
changes of circumstance and events, the
time had come for the duties of the Office
Of Governor to be devolved npon one who
was in full sympathy with the political
ideas and tenets that have now arisen to
the ascendency. he did it without regret
and with feeling that burden that had
long been uncongenial to him had been
removed. He was appointed by President
Arthur, but held his Office for the greater
portion Of the time under the present Ad-
ministration, and had the satisfaction OF
knowing that his administrative acts had
been generally approved by both Admins
tratiOns.
Associate Justice Allyn then admins.
tered the oath of Office, and Gov. Semple
said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW
CITIZENS: cannot find words sufficiently
forcible to express my thanks to YOU and
my fellow-citizens in other parts of the
Territory for the kindness with which the
announcement Of my appointment has
been received If l were to say that was
not gratified and was not proud at being
honored by the President of the United
States with the duty of serving the people
OF washington Territory as their chief ex-
ecutlve, you would not believe me; but l
assure you, my fellow-citizens, that l am
not half SO proud Of my appointment as I
am OF its approval by those amongst whom
l have lived, and whom I am appointed
to serve. might have deceived the Presi-
dent, but l cannot deceive you. Then,
when my official term is out, I must con-
tlnue to live here where you can visit your
indignation upon me if ! shall prove recre-
ant to my trust 1 intend to act on the
principle that every officer in the civil or
military service Of this great republic,
from constable to the President Of the
United States and from the enlisted man to
the general of the army, is merely a SER
want of the sovereign people, bound by the
maxim that the good of the people is the
supreme law. Having in your hearing
taken an oath to defend and protect the
Constitution and uphold the law, assure
you l will endeavor to strictly observe
that oath. In this country, where the PEG
pie make their own laws, there is a higher
duty TO observe them than if those laws
had been imposed upon US by some one
who claimed the divine right to do 50.
But in this matter, as we'll as in all other
matters, l must have the favor Of the AL.
mighty and the cooperation of my fellow
citizens, or I can accomplish nothing that
is good. Starting out as l do, freighted
with SO many good wishes, tremble lest
my frail power will prove inadequate to
enable me to answer your expectations.
can only hope, however, that whatever
grave doubts may arise as to my ability.
with the blessings Of God I may so con-
duct myself as that no doubt may arise as
to my honesty.
No Executive ever entered upon the dis
charge Of his duties in this Territory with
a more cordial sympathy of the people,
irrespective of party. This shows the
depth of the feeling for home rule
Last week the Olympians wanted to fire
. salute In honor Of Gov. Semple, but